Shingle



H. J. LUCE Nov. 10, 1953 SHINGLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 23, 1947 .EZUVZ Z OTW 0702x197 JJaaa- Nov. 10, 1953 H. J. LUCE 2,658,461

SHINGLE Filed June 23, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jizz/ezzjor: Lx avzer Jl ate Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHINGL'E Homer J. Luce, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 23, 1947, Serial No. 7 56,515

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to roofing shingles and more particularly to composition shingles of the interlocking type, and method of cutting the same from a strip of material.

The invention has among its objects the method of producing a composition shingle which may be cut from a continuous strip of material with substantially no waste, the side edges of the shingles being reversely complementary.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a shingle which when laid will provide at least a double thickness of material throughout the area covered, the shingle being so shaped that a minimum amount of material over that required to produce a double thickness, is employed. For example, the area of a shingle embodying the present invention above that required in providing the double thickness may be less than twenty percent of the total shingle area.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a shingle, having a minimum of material, in which adequate head lap is provided at all points, this head lap being achieved without the necessity of cutting a waste strip from the bottom edge of the shingle, so that when cutting the shingles from a continuous strip of material the edges of the strip form the top and bottom edges of all shingles.

A further object of the invention is the production of a novel interlocking tab construction which will provide means for laterally adjusting the shingles relative to one another to compensate for any slight irregularities, etc.

A further object of the invention is the proand more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. l is a plan view 'of a shingle embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of sheet material illustrating the manner in which the shingles are cut therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a plurality of shingles laid in assembled relation;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of interlocked portions of two adjacent shingles, such as illustrated in Fig. 3, showing the adjustabe feature;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of one edge of the shank portion of a shingle illustrating a slightly modified form of tab construction; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a second modified form of shingle.

In the past there have been shingles of the same general type as that herein described, examples of which are illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 1,849,785, issued to E. R. Black on March 15, 1932, and United States Letters Patent No, 2,050,218, issued to H. Abraham on August i, 1936. The former patent discloses a shingle adapted to be laid in double thickness, while the Abraham patent illustrates a similar type of shingle adapted to be laid in a single thickness. These constructions have been such that adjacent underlying portions of the shingles either abut or if a head lap is provided on succeeding courses, this has been accomplished by removing a portion of the material adjacent the lower edge of the shingle, whereby the shank portion of the shingle is less in vertical height than that of the larger head portion. When cutting shingles, such as that illustrated in the Abraham patent, from a continuous strip of material the edges of the strip of material cannot be utilized to form both edges of each shingle, thus requiring trimming of the bottom edge of each shingle.

The present construction in contrast to those of the patents above referred is so designed that it may be readily cut from a continuous strip of material with the bottom and top edges of all shingles being formed by the edges of the strip, at the same time providing a desired head lap at all points as well as providing a shingle adapted to be laid in double thickness having a minimum of material and with little or no waste resulting from the cutting operations. Likewise, the locking tab may be relatively short or long, as desired.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 2, I indicates generally a strip of material from which are cut a plurailty of shingles 2a, 2b and 2c, the shingles being alternately inverted on the strip as shown. Each shingle, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a rectangular shaped head portion or section 3 the free or upper edge 4 thereof, being formed by the respective edges of the strip I. In like manner the lower or bottom edges of the shingle 5 are also formed by the edge of the strip so that the width of the strip I corresponds to the overall height of the shingles formed therefrom. The side edges 6 of the head portion 3 are formed by straight cuts which also form the side edges 6' of the lower section of the adjacent shingles thus the head section or portion extends from the upper edge 4 to the edge 8, and the lower section from the bottom edge 5 to the edge 8. The intermediate portions of adjacent shingles between the edges 8 and 8 are reversely complementary, whereby the vertical edges I and I are of equal length, and each pair of horizontal edges 8 and 8', and 9 and 9' are of equal lengths. Likewise, the vertical edges II of adjacent shingles are coextensive.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower portion of the shingle is out along horizontal and vertical lines forming edges I2 and I3 respectively to form a shank portion extending from the edge 5 to the edge I2, having a pair of laterally extending tabs indicated generally by the numeral I l, the portion I5 between the tab I4 and edge I2 being knocked out to space the upper edge I! of the tab l4 from the edge I2. The shingle is also cut adjacent the lower end of the edges I3, to form a small inverted tab I'I defined by the laterally extending cut I9 and vertically extending cut 2!, the latter terminating in a curved or hooked shaped portion 22.

The vertical distance from the bottom edge 5 of the shingle to the cut I9 is equal to the distance from the horizontal edge 9 to the edge I2 so that when the shingles are interlocked, as hereinafter described, the bottom edge 5 of an applied shingle will be aligned with the edges l2 of adjacent shingles of the preceding course.

Referring to Fig. 3, the shingles are laid in the usual manner with the side edges 6 of adjacent shingles of a course abutting and their top edges aligned. The next course of shingles is then laid, interlocking the tabs I4 underneath the preceding shingles with the respective corners formed by the edges I3 and cuts I9 positioned at the juncture of the edges I and 9' of adjacent shingles therebelow, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. For illustrative purposes the reference characters in this figure will bear letter prefixes, each letter referring to a different shingle. The shingle is so proportioned that the horizontal distance between the edges I of adjacent shingles in a course is equal to the distance between edges I3 of the shank section of the shingle, so that when laid as illustrated in Fig. 2 the edges I3 will be substantially vertically aligned with the edges 1" of adjacent shingles of a preceding course. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the head section of the second course of shingles adjacent the edges 8, overlap the top edge 5 of the first course of shingles and in like manner the lower edge 5 of the third course overlap the top edge of the first course, providing maximum protection.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the reference characters also bearing illustrative letter prefixes, the tab I'I permits following shingles to be smoothly laid even though the distance between the edges 1 of adjacent shingles of a preceding course is slightly less than the distance between the edges I3 of the succeeding shingle, which might occur as a result of slight irregularities in laying, cutting or other reasons. In such case the edge I3 of the following shingle would be oiTset slightly from the edge I of the preceding shingle with the flap I'I' overlying the edge I of the preceding shingle and the latter being positioned in the cut I 9 which defines one edge of the tab II. It will be apparent that due to the cut 2i and curved portion 22 defining the tab I! that the latter will readily overlie the edge I! of the preceding shingle with no tendency to tear or otherwise injure the applied shingle.

While I have shown the tab I4 in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 as being spaced from the edge I2 due to the removal of the portion I5 it will be apparent that, if desired, the shingle may be formed without knocking out the portion I5, such a construction being illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the upper and inside edges of the tab I4 are defined by the edges I2 and I3 respectively. However, for ease in laying the shingles, I prefer to reduce the height of the tab by knocking out the portion I5, whereby the free upper end of the tab may be readily engaged with adjacent shingles.

Illustrated in Fig. 6 is a slightly different form of construction of the shingle wherein the same size tab I4 is employed as ilustrated in Fig. 1. However, instead of cutting out the portion I5, as is done in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the vertical edge I3 is shortened, and the edge I2 positioned closer to the bottom edge 5 of the shingle as indicated at I2 in Fig. 6, thereby providing a relatively short tab and extending the intermediate section with a corresponding reduction in the shank section of the shingle. It will be apparent that when laid this shingle will present a slightly different appearance than those illustrated in Fig. 2, and that by raising or lowering the position of the edge I2, other variations in appearance and the length of the tab may be achieved. All of the tab constructions as illustrated, may be constructed to provide lateral adjustment of shingles of succeeding courses.

It will be noted that in all of these constructions the upper and lower sections are vertically coextensive and with the exception of the knocked-out portions are generally reversely complementary, the constructions illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 being reversely complementary throughout their length. Thus, the intermediate sections between edges I2 and 8 are reversely complementary throughout a portion of their lengths with the uncomplementary portions being reversely complementary to a portion of the head section.

It will be noted from the above description that I have produced a novel shingle providing for adequate overlapping at all points and wherein the head portion of the shingle may be constructed of greater vertical height than the shank or lower portion of the shingle, at the same time permitting the shingles to be cut from a strip of material without cutting a wastestrip from the lower edge of the shingle, and in which the length of the locking tabs may be varied either with or Without a change of appearance of the laid shinles.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by letters patent is:

1. In an adjustable locking tab for shingles or the like, the combination of ashingle body, a locking tab extending laterally from the shingle body, the latter having a slit therein adjacent the upper juncture of the locking tab with the shingle body, said slit having a portion extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle a distance lessthan the width of the locking tab and then extending upwardly and terminating in an inwardly curving portion to form a rela tively small inverted tab, integral with the shingle body for permitting the insertion of an edge of another shingle in the lateral extending portion of the slit without tearing of the shingle body adjacent said locking tab.

2. A shingle formed from a sheet of material and comprising a rectangular shaped head section, having straight unbroken side edges and a narrower shank section connected to the head section by an intermediate section, the shank section having laterally extending locking tabs thereon adjacent the sides thereof, said shank having a slit therein adjacent the upper juncture of each tab and the shank section, each slit extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle, a distance less than the width of the respective locking tabs and then extending upwardly with an inwardly curving portion, the edges of the intermediate portion being reversely complementary in shape throughout a portion of their lengths, the respective uncomplementary portions thereof being reversely complementary with a portion of the edges of the head section.

3. A shingle adapted to be alternately invertedly formed from a sheet of material and comprising a rectangular shaped head section, having straight unbroken side edges and a narrower shank section connected to the head section by an intermediate section, the vertical heights of the shank and intermediate sections being equal, and less than the height of the head section, the shank section having laterally extending locking tabs thereon adjacent the sides thereof, each of said locking tabs extending laterally from the shingle body, the latter having a slit therein adjacent the upper juncture of the locking tab with the shingle body, said slit having a portion extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle a distance less than the width of the locking tab, and then extending upwardly and terminating in an inwardly curving portion to form a relatively small inverted tab integral with the shingle body, the edges of the intermediate section being reversely complementary in shape throughout a portion of their lengths, the respective uncomplementary portions thereof being reversely complementary with a portion of the edges or" the head section, whereby the adjacent top and bottom edges of complementary shingles are in alignment as formed.

4. An interlocking flexible shingle of substantially T-shape, comprising a rectangular upper section and a rectangular lower section of less width than the upper section, and an intermediate portion, the upper and lower sections having straight side edges of equal vertical height, said lower section being reversibly complementary to the upper section with the adjacent top and bottom edges of complementary shingles being aligned, said lower section being out at the side edges thereof to form a shank portion "of less width than the lower section and having a tab at each side thereof, each of said tabs extending laterally from the shingle body, the latter having a slit therein adjacent the upper juncture of the tab with the shingle body, said slit having a portion extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle a distance less than the width of the tab, and then extending upwardly and terminating in an inwardly curving portion to form a relatively small inverted tab integral with the shingle body, the vertical height of the shank portion being less than the vertical height of said lower section, and equal to the distance between the top of the shank portion and the bottom of the upper section.

5. In an adjustable locking tab for shingles or the like, the combination of a shingle body, a looking tab adapted to be interlocked with an adjacent shingle and extending laterally from the shingle body, the shingle body being cut adjacent the juncture of said locking tab and the body to form a relatively small inverted tab, integral with the shingle body for permitting the insertion of a vertical edge of such an adjacent interlocked shingle beneath said inverted tab without tearing of the shingle body adjacent said locking tab, and said locking tab being formed by a slit in line with the shingle body edge and including a portion extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle, and then extending upwardly and terminating in an inwardly curving portion providing the inverted tab.

6. In an adjustable locking tab for shingles or the like, the combination of a shingle body, a locking tab adapted to be interlocked with an adjacent shingle and extending laterally from the shingle body, said tab being formed by a slit in line with the shingle body edge, the shingle body having a slit therein extending laterally from the locking tab toward the vertical axis of the shingle a distance less than the width of the locking tab and then extending upwardly with an inwardly curving portion to form a relatively small inverted tab integral with the shingle body, for permitting the insertion of a vertical edge of such an adjacent interlocked shingle in the laterally extending portion of the slit without tearing of the shingle body adjacent said locking tab.

7. An interlocking flexible shingle of substantially T-shape, comprising a rectangular shaped head portion and a rectangular shank portion of less width than the head portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, of a width intermediate the widths of the head and shank portions, the vertical height of the shank and intermediate portions being equal, and of less height than the head portion, a locking tab at each side of the shank portion and integrally formed therewith, each of said locking tabs being formed by a slit in line with the shingle body edge and including a. portion extending laterally toward the vertical axis of the shingle a distance less than the width of the locking tab and then extending upwardly and terminating in an upwardly curving portion to form a relatively small inverted tab, the side edges of the upper half of said shingle being substantially reversely complementary with the edges of the lower half of the shingle, with respective top and bottom edges of complementary shingle being aligned.

8. An interlocking flexible shingle of substantially T-shape, comprising a rectangular upper section and a rectangular lower section of less width than the upper section, and an intermediate portion, the upper and lower sections having straight side edges of equal vertical height, said lower section being reversibly complementary to the upper section with the adjacent top and bottom edges of complementary shingles being aligned, said lower section being cut out at the side edges thereof to form a shank portion of less width than the lower section forming a tab at each side thereof, the vertical height of the shank portion being less than the vertical height of said lower section but equal to the distance between the top of the shank portion and the bottom of the upper section, and the edges of the portion formed between the upper section and shank portion being reversely complementary in shape throughout a portion of their lengths, the

respective uncomplementary portions thereof formed by the edges between the lower section and shank portion being reversely complementary with a portion of the edges of the head section.

HOMER J. LUCE.

Referen'ces Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,941,105 Naterman Dec. 26, 1933 2,050,218 Abraham Aug. 4, 1936 2,273,879 Maxey Feb. 24, 1942 15 2,444,623 Abraham July 6, 1948 

